Pet Peeves: The letter P does not have to be explained.

[hells_half_acre]

Listen Fic-Writers,

You don't have to tell me that someone is "popping the 'p'" when they say "yup" - it's in the word. Try saying "yup" WITHOUT popping the P. Seriously, TRY IT. YOU CAN'T.It's a P they POP, that's what Ps DO! When you take the time to unnecessarily explain it, it's like writing:"Shhh" he said, making a shushing noise with his

Comments

[ramblin_rosie]

Actually, I generally don't pop the p in "yep" and "nope." When I describe someone popping the final p in a word, I mean a loud, intentional pop that almost makes the p its own syllable, like overenunciating the final t or d. It's a kind of verbal punch--almost phonetic punctuation--as opposed to the normal plosive we use in regular conversation. (It's usually Gabriel I show speaking that way, if that helps.)
ETA: Here's an example, though the popped ps in this case are initial:

[/pedantic pickiness]

Anyroad. Hey, you! *waves*

[hells_half_acre]

So, basically you're saying that you say "YePUH" because dude, that just makes me hate it more. Because not only is it unnecessary, it sounds obnoxious

[ramblin_rosie]

It may indeed be an accent thing--I often end up turning the p in "yep" and "nope" into a glottal stop (so it's more like "ye'," as opposed to "yeah"). And it is obnoxious, usually intentionally so, which is why it's usually Gabriel's schtick in my fics.

ETA: Now that I think about it, the way Jensen says "Nope" in the new "Fist Bump" promo is about the way I normally pronounce it.

[hells_half_acre]

ETA: Now that I think about it, the way Jensen says "Nope" in the new "Fist Bump" promo is about the way I normally pronounce it.

Definitely an accent thing then, because if I were to transcribe that video, I would have written that Jensen just says "No" - I don't hear a P, so the P doesn't get written in.

[supernutjapan]

I think I "swallow" the p at the end of "yup"...
I stop it with my lips closed and don't open for the final "puh."

But, I have doubts as to how an explanation of the way someone says "yup" could contribute significantly to the story.

[hells_half_acre]

I suppose I do that too sometimes, but if I wanted to capture that sound in fic, I would put "yeah" or "ya" or "He made an affirming noise", because yeah, there's no "p" when you that.

But, I have doubts as to how an explanation of the way someone says "yup" could contribute significantly to the story.

Exactly!! Most of the time when someone uses it, it's to show that the character is being slightly obnoxious during a serious conversation... like:

"Did you set fire to the entire football team?" The officer asked.
"Yup", he said, popping the 'p'.

But the thing is, you don't need to KNOW that he popped the 'p' to know that answering "yup" in that context is a little obnoxious. If he weren't being slightly obnoxious, he would have answered "yes, sir" or "yes, I did" or just simply "yes"... the very fact that he says "yup" conveys what the writer is trying to get across.

At least in my opinion.

[supernutjapan]

agreed :)